Palliative Care Support Worker

NHS; Hereford; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospice in Hereford seeks a Palliative Care Support Worker to join their multidisciplinary team. The role involves delivering high-quality palliative care, supporting patients and families, and working closely with nursing staff. The position offers a competitive salary, benefits, and a supportive work environment, with opportunities for training and development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

NHS pension

Life assurance

Generous study leave

Employee counselling

Free on-site parking

Affordable meals

30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Hands-on care experience, especially in palliative settings.
• Full UK driving licence, over 21, held for at least 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualised, holistic palliative nursing care.
• Assist with feeding and meet dietary needs.
• Maintain patient dignity and ensure safety.

Skills

Communication

Decision-Making

Basic IT Skills

Education

Care Certificate

NVQ Level 3 in Care

Job description

You will be part of a large multidisciplinary team providing high quality, individualised, hands-on palliative care to our patients in our day services. As a Palliative Care Support Worker, you will be able to provide the best possible care for our patients and support our nursing team. The position is located in our day services, open Monday-Friday, with shifts covering the 5-day service on a rotational basis.

Main duties of the job

The role of the Palliative Care Support Worker is to ensure that St Michael's continues to deliver high-quality palliative care and support to our patients and their families. It requires effective communication and the ability to establish supportive relationships with patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team. This post is conditional upon an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

About us

Based in the beautiful village of Bartestree, approximately 5 miles east of Hereford city, St Michaels Hospice has been providing high-quality care, free of charge, to the local community for over 40 years. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, a transferrable NHS pension or enrolment onto our own Hospice pension, life assurance, a superb working environment, generous study leave, discounts with local suppliers, individualised training needs analysis, advanced communication skills training, employee counselling, free on-site parking, affordable meals and beverages, free tea, coffee, and chilled water, a friendly environment, 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays.

Job responsibilities

Job Title: Palliative Care Support Worker
Spinal Point Range: 5,6 (Plus unsocial hours payments)
Hours: 22.5 hours per week
Department: Hospice Care Services
Location: St Michaels Hospice, Bartestree
Reports to: Hub Team Manager, Sister/Charge Nurse/Senior Nurse (depending on setting)

Job Purpose: To deliver individualised, holistic palliative nursing care to patients and their families in their own homes or inpatient care settings to enhance quality of life.

Care Provision

• Provide care under the delegation of registered nurses, following care plans and risk assessments.
• Perform clinical interventions such as stoma care after appropriate training.
• Develop decision-making skills to enhance patient care in an autonomous environment.
• Perform simple dressing changes and contribute to risk assessments.
• Escalate changes in patient condition to nursing staff.
• Provide emotional support and facilitate referrals to hospice services.
• Maintain patient dignity, ensure safety, and provide final care for the deceased.
• Assist with feeding and meet dietary needs.
• Manage medications up to tier 3 competency and be aware of syringe driver indications.
• Dispose of clinical waste and laundry appropriately.

Communication

• Create a positive image and encourage open communication with patients, relatives, and staff.
• Maintain confidentiality and promote safeguarding policies.
• Keep accurate records and work collaboratively within the team.
• Support volunteers and seek feedback from service users.

Health and Safety

• Promote safety and wellbeing, prevent falls, and contribute to risk assessments.
• Follow incident reporting procedures and infection control policies.
• Ensure equipment safety and report faults.

Education

• Attend mandatory and ongoing training.
• Develop skills in palliative care and act as a mentor to new staff.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Basic IT skills
• Full UK driving licence, over 21, held for at least 12 months
• Care Certificate or NVQ Level 3 in care or equivalent

Experience

• Hands-on care experience, especially in palliative settings
• Experience handling challenging situations

Additional Conditions

This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check and requires working evenings, weekends, nights, and possibly traveling across the county. Unsocial hours payments are applicable as specified.